Patriots select Dominique Easley at No. 29

Taking a calculated risk on talented player with a history of injuries, the Patriots selected Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley with the 29th pick in Round One on Thursday night.

Durability is the major concern with Easley, who suffered a right ACL tear in 2013. He also suffered a left ACL tear in 2011. However, if he returns to form, the 6-foot-1, 288-pound Easley would add some youth and explosiveness to a Patriots defensive tackle group that has a pair of older regulars in Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly.

By taking Easley in Round One, the Patriots can retain his rights for a fifth season should they choose. Considering that he’s coming off of a significant knee injury, Easley’s primary impact could come down the road.

Easley appeared in 32 games for Florida, notching 72 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

I’m not sure about this pick. I know the kid has a lot of talent, but the first round isn’t a place to gamble on a kid who tore up both ACLs. I could see trading up in the second, but I’m not crazy about picking him in the first round. First rounders have to be a guaranteed star or it can set your team back. I guess it’s a swing for the fences kind of pick

bubbybrister/shovelpass says:May 8, 2014 11:59 PM

I’m really proud of this team tonight. This pick will be just as terrific as NE’s usually are…

If he’s healed up well great pick, if not terrible pick. I don’t think there’ll be much of a middle ground with this guy.

dickshotdogs says:May 9, 2014 12:12 AM

ACL’s are like ingrown toenails now. Most people come back from the injury relatively quicker and stronger. You can bet The Patriots medical staff were very thorough in their research. He is absolutely a steal. Very intense player with enormous talent. And he plays pissed off. I like those kinda guys.

6ball says:May 9, 2014 12:21 AM

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Reportedly, the Seahawks had interest in Easley at 32. With their player off the board, Seattle made the deal with MInnesota.

Ha.. you can see only few pat fans posting this comments.. because most pat fans don’t like this pick because of 1 simple reason.. you don’t waste 1st pick on injury phone player… only 2nd round pick or less..
Look at Griffin, even though he is really good at QB, but isn’t really worth spending 2x 1st pick on him since he miss alot of games so far, and redskins still last in divison… Not that I feel sorry for Pats, but happily that they took him with regrets.

Love love love Easley the player. But taking a guy with 2 ACL injuries with the 29th overall pick scares the crap out of me.

nflwatcher says:May 9, 2014 12:54 AM

I’m not a doctor but I play one on PFT, isn’t a repaired ACL similar to a rebuilt upgraded engine that’s better than a original 22 year old worn model? Doesn’t it have less a chance to break down? Do they offer some dead athletes ACL’s at higher prices, kind of like thoroughbread horse racing. Will the Ryan kids be fighting over who gets Nolan’s ACL’s?

I flat out hate this pick no matter how I look at it. Tom Brady will be 37 years old this season and this is NOT the time to be drafting young developmental players in the first round… they need to draft for their needs RIGHT NOW. Why not take the best TE on the board? Hernandez is in prison and Gronkowski can no longer be counted on. Why not take the best receiver available? Amendola can’t be relied on, Edelman is a slot receiver, Brandon Lafell is a 2 at best and don’t even get me started on Dobson, Boyce and Thompkins. Why not take the best RB on the board? Blount is in Pit, Ridley can’t hold onto the ball and Vereen’s wrist still isn’t 100%. I could go on for days, but at this point I’m completely at a loss with this pick… and that’s not even mentioning the reasoning for BB picking a DT in the first round. Vince Wilfork is coming off a torn achilles, Tommy Kelly is coming off a torn ACL, Will Smith is coming off a torn ACL, Armond Armstead missed all of last season with some undisclosed infection and they just drafted a DT in the first round… THAT IS COMING OFF OF 2 TORN ACL’S!!!!

I am a big Gator fan but NE is my least favorite NFL team (unabashed Jet fan here) it is crazy to see how many Gators end up in NE. This kid has a motor like no other, very good work ethic, and will not give up on plays… I think injury is the main concern but the ceiling for this kid is high.

lemmetalkwouldya says:May 9, 2014 8:28 AM

A first round pick who starts his NFL career with two bad wheels already………..?

We’re going to look back on this as a wasted pick.

patriots87 says:May 9, 2014 8:30 AM

I think people are forgetting Armond Armstead. Obviously we don’t know what he will be yet, but I think BB has alot of confidence in him so that should allow Easley some time to ease into the NFL game

I’m not sure about this pick. I know the kid has a lot of talent, but the first round isn’t a place to gamble on a kid who tore up both ACLs. I could see trading up in the second, but I’m not crazy about picking him in the first round. First rounders have to be a guaranteed star or it can set your team back. I guess it’s a swing for the fences kind of pick
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The pick was so late in the 1st that it might as well have been a 2nd. With the implementation of the rookie wage scale, first round picks are a bit less of a gamble than they used to be.